National Indigenous Health Conference

Organizers of the 2013 National Indigenous Health Conference to be held at Pullman Cairns International in Cairns, Australia on Nov. 25-27 are calling for papers and presenters.

Following the successful staging of the first National Indigenous Health Conference in the Gold Coast, it was decided that the 2013 conference would be organized in Cairns at the Pullman Cairns International Hotel. The event is designed to bring together both government and non-government agencies who are working in the field of Indigenous health with the belief that working together can close the gap between the state of Indigenous Health as compared to the health of mainstream Australians.

This gathering will highlight some of the existing indigenous health programs currently implemented in Aboriginal communities and provide a unique opportunity for delegates and speakers to see the power of people networking together in one place, at one time with similar goals and exchange information regarding the successes and challenges that workers involve in implementing Aboriginal health programs faced. Hence, grassroots communities are encouraged to participate and present their existing, successful programs during the event.

To ensure grassroots community programs are highlighted, no less than 50 percent of the conference proceedings are and is devoted to community groups. Papers are now being called for with the first closing date on the 30th of January 2013.

To further ensure the continuous success of the conference, an Indigenous working group is being established to advise the coalition on correct adherence to cultural equilibrium. The conference is not political based rather should be seen as an opportunity to access information that is not readily available at your own level.

This year’s event will herald a tried and proven method of exchanging ideas in Indigenous Health. While the conference has its aims and objectives, the core belief of the conference is that networking at a conference such as this is invaluable to the attendees as it offers a unique educational experience in the development of individuals and their careers.

The event also offers an opportunity to access great information as well as the chance to rub shoulders with individuals from all walks of life; professors to doctors, grass-root workers and government officials. However it should never be forgotten that Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander people shares information through their stories and interactions with other mobs. The information is now released about the conference to give delegates and organization time to register as there will only be 325 seats available for this year’s event.

For many years, the provision of Aboriginal health services had been broken and fragmented when it comes to delivery of primary health services. There were government providers and grassroots communities’ Aboriginal medical services where in many cases, duplication of services occurred. However over time, service providers have joined forces in, not just the physical provision of services but also in such fields as research, health education and even the training of staffs in order to improve Indigenous health.

Furthermore, another highlight of the 2013 event will be the integration of nature, nurture and pleasure with keynote and workshop sessions mixed with options to go on an educational nature tour in the Avatar-inspired and lush world heritage listed Cairns rainforest. For the more adventurous ones, there are options of hovering over the rainforest on the Sky Rail or hover over the corals in the Great Barrier Reef.

Today, the world has become smaller with the invention of the internet however the internet has also manage to sterilized and isolate people at the same time. As such, the belief of conference organizers is that nothing is more empowering and more efficient than for workers to have an opportunity to network and meet. The conference may or may not save organization time, money and manpower however, one thing the event guarantees is the opportunity to enlarge your network and information base thus empowering the delegates to make greater informed decisions.

Furthermore it has been proven time and time again that events such as this empowers and reinvigorates workers with new ideas and with enthusiasm, with a greater feeling of support and contacts that may be utilized for the betterment of their own or local community. With all this in mind, applicants are invited not only join the network but to actively participate in the event.